Patient Navigation Services
{Goal of the UCF Patient Navigation Program}
To improve the ability of young adults to manage their own cancer experiences and long-term cancer survival through:
- access to support resources tailored specifically to young adults;
- increased knowledge of their disease, treatment options and lifelong implications of treatment choices; and
- effective communication with their medical care team.
{types of patient navigation we offer}
The Ulman Cancer Fund offers TWO types of navigation for young adult cancer patients (18-40 years old) and survivors- remote and on-site. All services are FREE of charge and open to family members and loved ones. UCF on-site navigation services are currently being offered at University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center in Baltimore, MD with 2011 expansion to a cancer center in Washington, DC thanks to a grant in part from Kaiser Permanente.
Remote
The UCF offers remote navigation out of its headquarters in Columbia, MD for young adults and families from all across the country. Young adults and families may access our remote navigation services by emailing Sharon Curran or calling (800) 393-FUND ext 113. You will be asked to complete a brief needs assessment and the navigator will give you contact information for local and national resources to help you meet the challenges you are facing. You can request follow-up contact with the navigator.
On-site
The UCF has partnered with the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center (UMGCC) to offer comprehensive navigation services to young adult patients receiving care there. The UCF Navigator works in conjunction with the Center’s multi-disciplinary medical care teams, social work staff and other care providers.
Please contact Elizabeth Saylor by emailing or calling (410) 328-6951. This service is free but only open to young adults receiving treatment or long-term follow-up care at UMGCC. UCF is currently modeling this program in coordination with the work of the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance and navigator program specific goals outlined in National Cancer Institutes Adolescent & Young Adult Progress Review Group Report published in August 2006.
Elizabeth works with young adult patients ages 18-40, in any phase of their cancer treatment and survivorship. Young adults seeking second opinions at UMGCC are also eligible for services. A special emphasis will be made to connect all newly diagnosed young adults to the Young Adult Patient Navigator within the first few days of their diagnosis.
Please note that Ulman Cancer Fund Navigators are not medical practitioners and do not provide medical advice. The Ulman Cancer Fund encourages young adults to learn as much as they can about their illness, in order to make informed choices about their treatment and care. Second opinions are often part of this process.